Mansion celebrates ghosts, Christmas in October

The Conrad Mansion Museum offers events featuring everything from ghosts to Christmas in October.

The mansion starts the month with the fourth annual Ghost Tour event.

On Oct. 4 and 5, come hear stories from the staff and the community related to the possible presences in the mansion. The Conrad family loved the mansion dearly —  so much so that spirits of the family don’t want to leave.

Throughout the years, there have been many known instances of spirits being felt and seen at the mansion. Find out for yourself if ghosts of the Conrad family still live at the historic Conrad Mansion.

Tours start after dark at 7 p.m. and run every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person — $5 is tax deductible — and are available at the gift shop Tuesday through Sunday or by calling 755-2166.

Reservations are required for this annual sell-out event. The Conrad Mansion Ghost Tours are not recommended for children.

For the last 30 years, the mansion has started the holiday celebration early with its popular Christmas at the Mansion event.

Each year, a dedicated staff of volunteers, led by long-time chairperson Nikki Sliter, decorates and prepares the mansion for this special event. An 18-foot live tree ablaze with lights and antique ornaments is the highlight, although beautiful decorations can be found throughout the house. Scents of evergreen and baked goods fill the air while music and laughter can be heard throughout the house.

This years’ celebration is particularly memorable as it marks the last year that Christmas at the Mansion is scheduled.

The Christmas at the Mansion event will also feature the unveiling of the completely restored, almost life-size Nativity scene that was donated to the Conrad Mansion in the early 1980s. It was originally created and donated by Rosalie Heineke, Lois Himsel and Gerene Little.

A long-time supporter and friend of the mansion, Miriam Emerson, has spent the last six months meticulously restoring each of the eight pieces of the original Nativity.

“We are very grateful to Miriam and the care she has taken to preserve this wonderful piece of history. To see the entire Nativity set together and completely restored during the Christmas at the Mansion event will really be special,” said Gennifer Sauter, executive director.

As always, Christmas at the Mansion has juried the finest craftspeople from throughout the Northwest to display their best creative work, along with vintage pieces and antiques.

A preview party takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25.

Enjoy the elegance of the holiday season with music, arts and crafts, champagne and appetizers. Tickets are $45 per person ($40 for members) and are available in the gift shop Tuesday through Sunday or by calling 755-2166.

Reservations are required. This event likely will sell out.

The Christmas at the Mansion Bazaar takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 26 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 27. Tickets are available at the door for $5 per person, or $2 for children. Food and beverages are available for purchase on the verandah.

The historic Conrad Mansion is located on Woodland Avenue between Third and Fourth streets east. It is contiguous with the East Side Historic District of Kalispell.

Visit www.conradmansion.com for more information.